Fare operated gate assembly



Nov. 18, 1969 G. H. MAY 3,478,467

FARE OPERATED GATE ASSEMBLY Filed May 3, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 \afi I a: O V i N5 '0 o a I 9 N 3; g o

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INVENTOR 'GORDON H. MAY

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ATTORNEY Nov. 18, 1969 s. H. MAY

FARE OPERATED GATE ASSEMBLY Filed May 5, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v FIG.2

TICKET READER FIG.5

United States Patent US. Cl. 49-35 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND A variety of configurations of fare Operated gates have been proposed in the past for controlling entry to enclosed areas such as sporting events, transportation facilities, recreation areas, etc. While the prior known gates have assumed a number of different forms, they have usually fallen into two general classifications, i.e., the turnstile-type which includes a rotating radial-arm device or the scissor-type which includes a horizontally pivotal bar or panel. While the turnstile-type and scissor-type gates have different applications, they have the common characteristic of requiring considerable floor space for movement of the gate to its operating position and for storing the gate in its inoperative position. In the conventional fare operated entry arrangement, an entrance area is sub-divided into individual passageways or aisles by means of elongated consoles spaced at intervals across the width of the entrance. The consoles thus define the boundaries of the individual passageways and also house the gates which control the movement of pedestrian traffic through the entrance. In the turnstiletype gate, because of the clearance required for rotation of the radial-arm device, the device is generally positioned at mid-length of the passageway. Since the radial-arm device is rotated by the ticket holder rather, than by an actuator, entry into the passageway is neces: sary in order to apply pressure against the radial arm and provide an indication as to whether the device is unlocked for rotation or locked against rotation. Thus, any presentation of an improper fare causes a significant disruption in traflic flow through such a gate. In addition the radial-arm usually rotates in but one direction, so separate entrance and exit passageways must often be provided. Thus a substantial amount of floor space must be devoted to accommodate whatever traffic is anticipated. In the scissor-type, the gate is in the form of a bar or arcuate panel which is pivoted about a vertical axis in the console for movement in a horizontal plane into and out of the console. To limit the mass of the gate and the gate velocity required for a given operating time it has been the practice to dimension the individual gates to span half the width of a passageway. The gates are thus oppositely-directed and are arranged in pairs for movement toward and away from each other. Due to the size of the conventional gates and the scissor action of their operation about the vertical pivot axes, only a single gate of each pair can be housed in each console. This has necessitated two separate consoles facing in opposite directions for each passageway. Thus,

3,478,467 Patented Nov. 18, 1969 ice even though these passageways can be used for both entrance and exit, a substantial amount of floor space, approximately 50% of the entrance width, is requlred for the consoles. An inherent feature of the scissor-type gate is the time lag caused by the exposed gate operating mechanism. Time must be allowed for the ticket holder to clear both the gate and the operating mechanism before the gates can be safely closed. The gates are therefore operated at a realtively high velocity to compensate for this time lag.

SUMMARY The limitations of the prior art devices are avoided in the present invention by provision of a gate assembly having improved performance characteristics and which requires a minimum amount of floor space. With the present gate assembly one or more relatively-thin, planar gates are positioned in a console for movement in a vertical plane extending normal to the immediately adjacent passageway. This assembly permits two oppositelydirected gates to be positioned in closely adjacent, overlapping relation in a single console for movement in opposite directions from the console. Gate operating means are mounted in the console and connected to the gates for extending and retracting the gates individually to control trafiic through the adjacent passageways.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an entrance area divided into passageways by a plurality of consoles embodying the gate assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view partly in section illustrating the manner in which a preferred embodiment of the present gate assembly is mounted within a console;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a console illustrating the overlapped position of the gates;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view partly in section showing an alternative embodiment of a gate assembly according to the present invention; and 1 FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a gate operating rlneans for controlling the movement of the gates of FIGS.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 an entrance area is subdivided into individual pedestrian passageways 10 by means of elongated consoles 11 which are evenly spaced across the area. The gate assembly of the present invention, shown generally at 12, permits two oppositely-directed gates to be mounted closely adjacent each other in a single console. Thus each console will service two adjacent passageways i.e., those along both sides of the console. The result is that the number of consoles required for a given installation will be equal to the number f passageways desired plus 1, rather than twice the number of passageways as in the conventional installation. Since the individual gates are approximately half as wide as the passageways and since the consoles need be only slightly wider than a gate in order to house it, the floorspace occupied by the consoles is only approximately of the entrance area, thus leaving approximately to be allocated to the passageways.

Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawing, a gate assembly 12 includes two relatively-thin planar gates 13 and 14 positioned in closely-adjacent, parallel, overlapping relation within the console 11. As illustrated, in the preferred embodiment each gate has the general form of an isosceles triangle with a slightly arcurate base. The gates are each positioned in a vertical plane and supported adjacent the apex in inverted fashion with the arcuate base uppermost. Parallel, horizontal rods 15 and 16 extend longitudinally of the console in spaced relation and are firmly fixed therein, such as by being secured to the supporting framework of the console (not shown). The gates are journaled on the rods and 16 which provide horizontal axes for pivotal movement of the gates between the nested position within the console and the extended position illustrated. Elongated slots 17 (see FIG. 1) are provided in the lateral surfaces of the console to permit reciprocating movement of the gates. The gates are formed of any suitable material which combines the structural characteristics of light weight, strength, resistance to wear and dimensional stability. The necessary structural characteristics can be obtained with a hollow core construction made by heat molding a suitable foamed plastic, or by laminating a suitable sheet material such as aluminum, etc. over a honeycomb core. Each gate is provided with an inwardly projecting bracket 18, 19 along its inner edge. The brackets may be formed integrally with the gates or secured thereto in a suitable manner such as by screws, spot welding, etc. The brackets are spaced from the pivot axes of the gates and provide an attachment point for gate actuators 20 and 21. The actuators, which may be of a variety of types, are illustrated in the form of pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, the fixed portion of which is secured to a portion of the frame of the console, as at 22, for limited pivotal movement. The movable elements of the actuators 20 and 21, in this case the piston rods, are pinned to the respective brackets as at 23, 24. Each of the gates may be provided with a panel of reflective or luminescent material which is illuminated by a light 26 mounted in the console. The light is shielded so as to be focused onto the panel 22 when the gate is in its extended position. The glow or reflection from the material of the panel provides a safety feature by calling attention to the fact that the passageway is blocked by the gates.

As shown in FIG. 3, in a typical configuration, a pair of gates is mounted adjacent each end of the console. The gates of each pair are offset a short distance longitudinally of the console to permit retraction of the gates into the interior of the console in closely adjacent over-lapped relation. A series of ticket slots 27-29 are provided in the console 11. Ticket receiving slots 27 and 29 are located in the opposite ends of the console adjacent its upper sufface, however, they can be located in the upper surface near the ends if desired. A ticket return slot 28 is located at the approximate center or mid-point of the upper surface of the console. A suitable ticket reader, such as that of application Ser. No. 520,769 filed Jan. 14, 1966, is located in each end of the console between ticket entry slot 27 and return slot 28 and between ticket entry slot 29 and the return slot 28. The ticket reader is adapted to receive a ticket through slot 27 or 29, read the ticket, update the recorded information and then return the ticket through slot 28. An electric eye assembly is located in each end of the console immediately inboard of each gate assembly. Each electric eye assembly includes a beam generating and focusing device 30 mounted in one console and a photoelectric sensor 31 mounted in the adjacent console in alignment with the beam generating device.

Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawing an alternative embodiment of a gate assembly according to the present invention is illustrated. The gate assembly in FIG. 4 includes a pair of relatively thin, planar, generally-rectangular gates 32 and 33. The gates are offset slightly alOng the longitudinal axis of the console, so that they overlap when retracted into the interior of the console. The gates are supported by a pair of oppositely directed guide members 34 and 35 extending across the width of the console. The guide members are secured to the console adjacent the upper and lower extremities of slots 17 and are each provided with two parallel channels which are dimensioned to receive the gates 32 and 33. The upper and lower edges of each gate are slideably received in a channel of each of the respective guide members 34 and 35. A pair of approximately right-angled cranks 36 and 37 are pivotally mounted on a rod 38 which is secured in position below the lower guide member 35. The two cranks face in opposite directions and are positioned on the rod on oposite sides of the lower guide member. The distal end of the upper arm of crank 36 is slotted as at 39 to receive a pin 40 protruding from the inner edge of gate 32. Crank 37 is similarly slotted to receive a similar pin protruding from gate 33. The lower arms of the cranks are pinned to actuators 41 and 42 which are similar to actuators 20 and 21 of FIG 2.

The gate actuating means of FIG. 5 is shown as a fluid pressure system, either pneumatic or hydraulic. The system includes a source of pressure such as pump 43, a pressure responsive control valve 44, a direction control valve 45, a speed control valve 46, the actuator cylinders 21 and 20 and the necessary piping connections for controlling the movement of the gates 13 and 14' (FIG. 2). Valve 44 is a spool valve which is held in the normal position illustrated by means of pressure derived from the pressure side of pump 43. Positive pressure from the pump is applied to the lower end of the valve spool to bias it in the position shown against the action of a compression spring 47. Valves 45 and 46 are spool valves controlled by suitable solenoid actuators. Valve 45 con trols the direction of movement of the gate by directing positive pressure to either the upper or lower end of the actuator cylinder. Valve 46 controls the speed of movement of the gate by switching a restriction orifice 48 into or out of the fluid exhaust circuit. A gate actuating system such as shown in FIG. 5 is shared between adjacent consoles in that it controls the position of a gate 13 in one console and the oppositely directed gate 14 in the adjacent console to govern the flow of traflic along the passageway between the consoles. The operating means illustrated provides four operating conditions, i.e., fast close, fast open, slow close and power failure. The fast close condition, which is illustrated, applies full pressure through valve 45 to the lower ends of the cylinders 21, 20, while the upper ends of the cylinders are connected through valve 46 to exhaust or sump. In this condition the piston rods are extended from the cylinders causing gates 13 and 14' to rotate about their axes to the extended position to block the passageway. The embodiment of FIG. 4 operates in a similar manner in that extension of the piston rods rotates the cranks about their axis 38. The slot and pin connection 29 and 40 converts rotary motion of the cranks to linear movement of the gates, so that the gates slide in guide members 34 and 35 to the extended position shown. In the fast open condition the spool of valve 45 is moved vertically to its up position, so that pressure is connected through valve 46 to the upper ends of the cylinders while the lower ends thereof are connected through valve 45 to exhaust. In this condition the piston rods are retracted within the cylinders and the gates are pivoted or slid to the nested position within the console. In the slow close condition the spool of valve 45 is moved to its down position to connect pressure to the lower ends of the cylinders and the spool of valve 46 is moved vertically to its up position, so that the upper ends of the cylinders are connected to exhaust through the restriction orifice 48. This condition is similar to the fast close condition except for the reduced rate of movement of the piston rods and consequently the gates, due to the restriction. In the power failure condition the loss of pressure from the pump removes the pressure biasing force from valve 44, so that the spool of the valve is moved to its down position by spring 47. In this position of the control valve, pressure is removed from the system and both ends of the cylinders are connected to ambient pressure. In this condition the gates may be withdrawn by the action of a spring (not shown), thus providing a fail-open position of the gate assembly to allow unrestricted entry and exit through the passageways in the case of a power failure.

In the operation of the gate assembly the gate operating means of FIG. 4 receives control signals from the ticket reader and the electric eye assemblies associated with a particular passageway. The position of the gates is thus governed by presentation of a valid ticket and then pedestrian movement though the passageway. Entry into the passageway between the two consoles of FIGS. 2 and 3 is initiated by insertion of a ticket into slot 27 in the console at the left of the passageway. As illustrated by the arrows on the consoles, each console provides the monitoring function for the passageway on one side thereof, in this case, the passageway to the right of the console. The validity of the ticket is checked in the ticket reader and, if invalid, the ticket is ejected back through the slot and the lights 26 turned on to illuminate the panels 25 and indicate that the gates have remained closed. In the case of a valid ticket the ticket reader provides a signal to the direction control valve 45 which activates the solenoid and moves the valve spool to its up position, thus placing the forward gate operating means in the fast open condition. Pressure is applied to the upper ends of the cylinders and the oppositely directed forward gates of the two consoles are retracted. Entry of the pedestrian into the passageway interrupts the light beam from the forward beam generator 30. As the ticket holder moves through the passageway and clears the forward gates, the light beam is restored and the photo'sensor 31 provides a signal to the direction control valve 45 to activate the solenoid in the opposite direction and move the valve spool to its down position to place the operating means in the fast close condition. Pressure is applied to the lower ends of the cylinders and the forward gates are again extended from their respective consoles to block the passageway. During this period of time the ticket has been processed through the ticket reader and extended from the ticket return slot 28. Withdrawal of the ticket from the return slot by the ticket holder provides a signal to the direction control valve of the gate operating means for the rear gates to place it in the fast open condition. The rear gates are then retracted into their respective consoles in a manner similar to that of the forward gates. As the ticket holder passes through the passageway and clears the rear gates the light beam from the rear beam generator 30 is first interrupted and then restored. The restoration of the light beam is sensed by the rear photosensor 31 which signals the direction control valve to re turn the rear gate operating means to the fast close position. The rear gates are then extended to again block the passageway. A timing mechanism (not shown) may be provided in conjunction with the electric eye assemblies to prevent passage of two or more persons on a single ticket. Interruption of the light beam from the forward beam generator 30 initiates the timing mechanism while restoration of the light beam resets the timing mechanism to zero. If the light beam is not restored within a predetermined period, approximately 200 milliseconds, the timing mechanism produces a signal to both the direction control valve 45 and the speed control valve 46. The spool of the direction control valve 45 is moved to its down position by this signal while the spool of the speed control valve 46 is moved to its up position by the signal. The gate operating means is thus placed in the slow close condition in which full pressure is connected to the lower ends of the cylinders while the upper ends are connected to exhaust through the restriction orifice. The gates are then extended at a relatively slow rate to again block the passageway.

Exit through the passageway in the opposite direction is achieved in a manner similar to the above by insertion of the ticket in the slot 29 at the rear of the console to open the rear gates and then withdrawal of the ticket from the return slot 28 to open the forward gates.

An alternative mode of operation is available in which the gates are normally retained in their retracted position, so that the passageway is unobstructed. In this mode of operation, the ticket is inserted in the slot 27 for processing through the ticket reader. If a valid ticket has been presented the gates remain open, the ticket is returned through the return slot and entry is allowed through the passageway. Upon sensing of an invalid ticket by the ticket reader a signal is provided to the direction control valve of the rear gate operating means to place the rear gate operating means in the fast close condition. Interruption of the beam of the forward electric eye assembly without presentation of a valid ticket will provide a similar signal to the direction control valve of the rear gate operating means. In either event, the rear gates will be extended to block the passageway and interrupt the flow of tralfic. In this situation the rear gates can remain closed until the passageway is cleared and a valid ticket is presented at the console.

The gate assembly of the present invention provides an increased margin of safety over the conventional scissor-type gates due to the construction and path of movement of the present gates. Since the gates are relatively thin and the operating mechanism is completely contained within the console a ticket holder passing through the passageway will clear the gates rapidly in a very small time interval. Therefore, the gates themselves can be operated at a relatively low velocity without adversely affecting the rate of traffic flow through the passageway. With the lower gate velocities the risk of injury to a pedestrian from contact with a moving gate is significantly reduced.

While the present gate assembly has been described in the context of a ticket-operated admission system it is not so limited, but may rather be used with equal facility in any fare-operaed entry system, including credit card, token, cash, etc.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in the form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A fare operated gate assembly mounted in a console intended for subdividing an entrance area into individual passageways, the console having spaced side surfaces for defining lateral boundaries of immediately adjacent passageways, the gate assembly including:

a pair of oppositely directed, relatively-thin planar gates positioned in closely adjacent overlapping relation within the console;

means in the console supporting the gates for individual movement in opposite directions through the side surfaces of the console; and

said means further supporting the gates for individual movement each in a vertical plane extending normal to the immediately adjacent passageway.

2. A fare operated gate assembly mounted in an elongated console intended for subdividing an entrance area into individual passageways, the console having opposed ends and spaced side surfaces which define the boundaries of immediately adjacent passageways, the gate assembly including:

a first set of relatively thin planar gates positioned in the console, the gates being spaced apart and located adjacent opposite ends of the console;

means in the console supporting each gate for movement in the same direction through a side surface of the console, each gate being movable in a separate vertical plane extending normal to the passageway immediately adjacent said side surface; and

a second set of relatively-thin planar gates positioned in spaced relation at opposite ends of the console,

each of the second'gates being located in closely overlapping relation with a gate of the first set, the gates of the second set being mounted for movement through the other side surface of the console in vertical planes extended normal to the passageway adjacent said other side.

3. A fare operated gate assembly as defined in claim 2,

comprising:

gate operating means mounted in the console and connected to the gates for selectively extending and withdrawing the gates individually, the operating means being entirely contained within the console in either position of the gates;

each gate having a general shape of an isosceles triangle with a slightly arcuate base, each gate being positioned in inverted fashion with the arcuate base uppermost, and each gate being supported adjacent its apex for pivotal movement about a horizontal pivot axis in the console.

4. A fare operated gate assembly mounted in a console intended for subdividing an entrance area into individual passageways, the console having spaced side surfaces for defining lateral boundaries of immediately adjacent passageways, the gate assembly comprising:

a pair of oppositely directed, relatively-thin planar gates positioned in closely adjacent overlapping relation within the console;

each said gate having the general shape of an isosceles triangle with a slightly arcuate base and being positioned in inverted fashion with the arcuate base uppermost and supported adjacent the apex thereof for movement in a vertical plane extending normal to the immediately adjacent passageway; and

gate operating means mounted in the console and connected to each of the said gates for selectively extending and withdrawing the gates individually, the operating means being entirely contained within the console during either the extended or withdrawn position of the gates.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS DENNIS L. TAYLOR, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

